The Spring Haute Couture Fashion runways opened this week. And I think someone said that haute couture is the perfect cure for post-partum Bears loss. (Do I hear cheering from the Packers’ readers?) Even if no one said that fashion is the cure for football, haute couture is definitely a trip to Fantasyland.

Younger Designers More Prominent

I don’t claim to study all the fashion magazines, and while I think it would be fun to go to a Paris runway show, I won’t hold my breath being invited to one. But one thing that I found very interesting in reading various sites covering this week’s shows is this year is not just filled with the standard (if you can call them “standard”) works of Chanel, Armani and Dior, but also of younger designers. In fact, the young couturier, Alexis Mabille, opened Couture Fashion Week this past Monday. Below are just a few of his spring offerings.

Alexis Maibille Spring 2011

Images via Vogue UK

Classic Houses Always Inspire

Image via Guardian UK

Of course, how can you not be inspired by the Karl Lagerfeld’s designs for Chanel? Classic, yet updated.

“Short double-breasted trapeze suits and Jacky-O-neck coats slowly give way to etherial light-as-air skirts and dresses. With 67 looks in the collection, Lagerfeld brings the balance between constructed and frayed,fluid silhouettes to perfection. Frosty baby pinks, creams and blues, contrasting black and rather interestingly constructed flats make references to the ballet world evident. Rich in detail, every bead and sequin is in it’s rightful place…Chanel Spring 2011 Haute Couture collection masterfully leaves you in a daze – thinking about The Black Swan and Virgin Suicides, which just might be the most perfect aesthetics collision to date.” Source: fashionlover.comSee the full collection.

Images via Vogue Paris

As soft and airy as Chanel presented, Armani Prive was very structured. And with great, bold colors. Have a look for yourself at the whole collection.

I love the pocket on the pants. Images via Vogue UK.

This isn’t a comprehensive view of the shows, just a couple of highlights from what I’ve read. Do any of these inspire you? Are there other designers from this year’s Haute Couture shows that speak more to you? Leave a comment or a link to a design that inspired you. Or that just struck you as pure fantasy. Here’s looking forward to spring!

[…] designs; watching for up-and-coming designers; and identifying trends. Whether you follow the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris or the next season’s trends in Milan, London or New York, one thing that is a common […]